Careers · Work at a Startup
YC jobs: how to get hired at a Y Combinator startup.
You don't need a referral, a FAANG resume or a recruiter. Over 1,000 funded YC companies hire through one free platform where founders read profiles themselves. Here's how to use it, what the equity is worth, and which batches to target.
Where YC jobs actually live
Work at a Startup is YC's own job board. One profile, visible to every funded YC company, with founders — not applicant tracking systems — doing the reading. Roles range from founding engineer at a five-person W26 company to staff roles at post-Series B alumni like Deel or Rippling.
If you want to know which companies to target, start with the YC companies database and filter by recent batches. Newly funded teams hire hardest in the six months after Demo Day.
The five-step playbook
01
Build the Work at a Startup profile properly
Founders skim. Lead with what you shipped, the impact number, and the stack — not a summary paragraph.
02
Target by batch, not by brand
Recently funded batches (W25, S25, W26) are hiring their first 5–15 people. That's where the equity and scope are.
03
Show a thing you built
One live link outweighs three bullet points. Ship something small in the company's domain before you apply.
04
Write a three-line outreach note
What you built, why this company, what you'd do in week one. Founders answer these; they ignore cover letters.
05
Evaluate the offer like an investor
Ask for shares outstanding, strike price, last round valuation and runway before comparing equity numbers.
Equity bands, roughly
| Stage | Typical equity | Cash vs market |
|---|---|---|
| Founding engineer (pre-seed) | 0.5% – 2.0% | 20–30% below |
| Employees 6–20 (seed) | 0.2% – 0.5% | 10–20% below |
| Post-Series A | 0.05% – 0.2% | At or near market |
Directional ranges from public YC hiring data and founder reports — always ask for shares outstanding and strike price.
FAQ
How do I get a job at a YC startup?
Almost every YC company hires through Work at a Startup (workatastartup.com), YC's own job board. You create one profile, and founders — not recruiters — contact you directly. There is no application fee and no requirement to have worked at a brand-name company.
Do YC startups pay well?
Early YC startups typically pay 10–30% below big-tech cash for engineers, offset with 0.1–2.0% equity depending on seniority and stage. Post-Series A YC companies often match market cash. The trade is cash today for equity upside and scope.
What is Work at a Startup?
YC's free job platform where 1,000+ funded YC companies post roles. Your single profile is visible to all of them, and founders reach out directly — most candidates hear from multiple companies within a week of publishing a strong profile.
Do I need experience to join a YC startup?
No, but you need evidence of shipping. A live side project, an open-source contribution history, or a portfolio of things you built will beat a generic resume from a well-known employer at seed stage.
How much equity should I get at a YC startup?
Rough bands: first 5 engineers 0.5–2.0%, employees 6–20 around 0.2–0.5%, post-Series A 0.05–0.2%. Always ask for the strike price, total shares outstanding, and the last valuation before comparing offers.
Are YC startup jobs remote?
Many are. YC itself requires founders to be in the Bay Area during the batch, but a large share of YC companies hire remotely afterwards. Work at a Startup lets you filter by remote, location, and visa sponsorship.
Do YC startups sponsor visas?
Some do, and the filter exists on Work at a Startup. Early-stage companies are more cautious about sponsorship cost, so target Series A and later YC companies if you need it.
Keep reading
Database
List of YC Companies →
Searchable database of YC alumni by batch — Airbnb to Cursor.
Guide
How Y Combinator Works →
The $500K deal, 3-month program, and acceptance rate — in plain English.
Batch
YC W26 Batch →
Winter 2026 dates, Demo Day, batch size and the $500K deal.
Batch
YC S26 Batch →
Summer 2026 dates, deadline, and your application timeline.
Stories
Founder Stories →
70+ deeply-reported founder journeys from YC alumni.
Playbook
YC Equity Split for Co-Founders →
Why YC pushes 50/50 splits, when to deviate, and vesting basics.